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Torres expects ‘airline interests’ within a month
Governor discusses service routes with Alaska-owned carrier
By ERWIN ENCINARES
erwin_encinares@saipantribune.com
REPORTER
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is expecting forthcoming “airline interest” after Alaskan businesses met with him during his recent trip to the state.
Torres hinted at possible “airline interest” after spending a week off-island for meetings in Oregon and Alaska. Torres disclosed that he met with several Alaskan businessmen and women, who have expressed their interest in serving flights for the CNMI, but not particularly an Alaska-Saipan route.
“…I…met with some businessmen and women regarding airlines, so hopefully within a month or so we would have some airline interest coming from Alaska. We would also be providing some data this week, some they requested, regarding airline passengers,” Torres said.
He clarified that he was in talks with “airlines that are owned by Alaskan natives or Alaskan businessmen” and not necessarily Alaska Airlines. Torres did not disclose who he was in talks with and what particular airline.
“I told them [of] our situation and they expressed interest, so we would be providing some documents and information. Hopefully, within the month, they would be coming down to Saipan and see [the islands],” said Torres, adding that he wants airlines that would provide services to Saipan, Rota, and Guam.
United Airlines has announced its intent to sever ties with Cape Air in Micronesia. Cape Air is the only source of transportation services from Rota to Saipan or Rota to Guam.
United plans to start daily Guam-Saipan flights using a larger jet. Delta Air Lines bid adieu to the CNMI last Sunday.
Delta is the only airline that offers the CNMI direct flights to Narita, Japan, as well as connecting services to the U.S. mainland.
With Delta discontinuing direct flights to Japan, Torres announced in a previous statement that Skymark Airlines, the third largest Japanese carrier headquartered at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, has already begun evaluating the launch of direct flights to Saipan for the upcoming winter.
“… A more formal announcement will be made as soon as their evaluation process and official decision is complete,” Torres said.
MD: Alaskan-owned airline expresses interest.
KW: Airport, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Cape Air, Rota, Saipan, Guam, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, Alaska.
